Iraq Historic Allegations Team starts work

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), which will investigate allegations of abuse of Iraqi citizens by British Service personnel, has now started work, Minister for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey announced today.

A Saxon amoured personnel carrier provides support to British foot patrols in Basra City in 2003 (stock image) [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2003]

The team is led by a retired senior civilian policeman and consists of military and ex-civilian police detectives.

Announcing that the team has started work today, Mr Harvey said in a Written Ministerial Statement:

In March my predecessor announced the intention of the previous Government to set up a dedicated Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) to investigate allegations of abuse of Iraqi citizens by British service personnel that have been brought to the MOD’s attention.

The Government has endorsed the continuation of this approach, and we are determined to ensure that these allegations are investigated thoroughly and as quickly as possible.

I would like to inform the House that the IHAT team now has a full investigative capability and has commenced work. The team is led by a retired senior civilian policeman and consists of military and ex-civilian police detectives who will ensure that each allegation is appropriately investigated.

Given the volume of allegations and the complexity of investigating the events in question, we anticipate that it will take around two years to complete the work of the IHAT.